Longtime San Francisco residents and intrepid hikers David Weintraub and Ben Pease have selected 44 "must-do" trips for hiking, running, and bicycling. Trails range from easy strolls to all-day treks, from 2 to 12 miles, covering the most scenic parks and preserves between Santa Rosa and San Jose. The second edition features new hikes in Muir Woods and the Presidio, more elevation profiles, and at-a-glance information helps you find the best wildflowers, fall color, bird-watching, camping, historic sites, and cool hikes for hot days.
Johnny Molloy, who has spent more than 800 nights backpacking in the Smokies, has updated his classic guide Top Trails: Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This revised edition has been completely updated, including the new backcountry reservation system implemented in the park. He has also added some excellent hikes, some of them well off the beaten path. For example, the hike to Baskins Creek Falls takes you past a pioneer homesite and to a scenic cascade overshadowed by more popular waterfalls nearby, making it an ideal destination for those who want to escape the crowds. A longer trek traverses the regal pine-oak forests of the western part of the park, making a stop at Abrams Falls, mixing solitude with a must-visit waterfall on every Smokies bucket list. Johnny also explores early park history on a hike up Kephart Prong. Here, you can see the remains of a fish hatchery constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, as well as a trail shelter erected by the CCC when the park was just coming to be. Backpackers will enjoy the new loop incorporating Walnut Bottoms along cascading Big Creek, coupled with a stop by historic Mount Cammerer tower, replete with stellar views, before overnighting at Davenport Shelter on the Appalachian Trail. Additionally, Johnny--who considers the Smokies his home stomping ground--makes sure that all the necessary information to help you execute a hike from directions to maps are correct. New photos add flair to the book.
Near Sacramento, numerous trails access the Central Valley's wildlife-filled wetlands and traverse riverside forests and grasslands. In the Coast Range and Sierra foothills, trails lead to scenic waterfalls, wildflower-studded meadows, and high mountain lakes. Longtime Sacramento resident and intrepid hiker Steve Evans has selected the 43 "must-do" hikes, the majority of which are within two hours of the city. Whether you're looking for a scenic stroll, a full-day adventure, or even a spectacular alpine peak-bagging trip, you'll find it here. Trails range from 1 to 10 miles and sea level to 9000 feet, and each trip includes elevation profiles, detailed maps, driving directions, and "don't get lost" trail milestones.
Maui is indeed a hiker's paradise. An impressive network of trails crisscross the second-largest Hawaiian island, from meditative beach walks to heady treks high atop a volcano. Hidden in cloud forest, more trails lead to tumbling waterfalls, hidden springs and groves of bamboo. Back down on the coast, treks lead to natural lava-rock blowholes and sea arches, past ocean pools, and deserted beaches. Wander across lava flows that feel primeval, examine ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs up close, or follow the King's Highway that Hawaiian royalty once trod. All this and more awaits on Maui's hiking trails, most of which are easily accessible day trips. From any point on the island, any of the dozens of trailheads pinpointed in this book is at most a couple of hours' drive away, and often far closer than that. Top Trails Maui presents 37 premier day hiking and overnight camping and backpacking trips suited to all levels of ability and interests. The book is divided into four major geographical areas: West Maui, Central/South Maui, East Maui/Upcountry, and Haleakala National Park. All of the trails offer scenic beauty and ease of access for hikers. Together, these trails represent the island's incredible diversity of ecological systems and environments, from lava flows and multi-colored cinder cones to cloud forests filled with native bird song and hidden waterfalls. Some of the hiking trails described here are popular with both locals and visitors, while others are virtually a local secret. With the Top Trails winning formula of easy-to-follow maps for every hike, trail-feature charts, feature icons, "don't get lost" trail milestones, and GPS waypoints, readers can easily identify the right trail for their interests, abilities, and available time.
Described in this guide are 77 trails that range from short, easy day hikes to difficult backpacking adventures. The book covers areas in Arapaho, Roosevelt, White River, and Routt National Forests as well as Rocky Mountain National Park. Detailed information includes directions to trailheads, maps, trail length, elevation gains, difficulty, and much more.
Florida visitors are often surprised by both the beauty of its trails and by the great variety of its landscapes. Although Florida doesn't have any mountains, it does offer trails with views of everything from beaches and bluffs to prairies and wetlands. In this comprehensive trail guide, you'll find some of the best, most beautiful trails in Florida. Many of the trails were converted from unused railroad corridors to become some of the best multiuse rail-trails in the state. In this guidebook, experts from Rail-to-Trails Conservancy present their final list of the top trails and rail-trails in Florida, selected from more than 100 in the state. In addition to details about each trail, Rail-Trails Florida also provides information about trail amenities, including restrooms, parking facilities, and water fountains.
Discover classic destinations and lesser-known jewels of the Lake Tahoe area through 59 incomparable hikes. Lake Tahoe, the jewel of the Sierra Nevada, holds magic for anyone wishing to explore its surroundings: the splendid backcountry on the north side; the sedate western side; the picturesque and popular areas on the south side, including Desolation Wilderness and D. L. Bliss and Emerald Bay state parks; and the relatively undeveloped eastern side. Follow award-winning author Mike White across some of the most awe-inspiring terrain on Earth. Top Trails: Lake Tahoe describes 59 can’t-miss routes for hikers, backpackers, and cyclists. From an easy 2-mile amble along lakeshore cliffs to an overnight trek on the crest of the Carson Range, you’ll experience the best of this beautiful region in eastern California and western Nevada. Explore the famed Rubicon Trail, Donner Pass, highlights of the Tahoe Rim Trail and Pacific Crest Trail, and more. Inside you’ll find: 59 favorite routes for hikers, backpackers, and cyclists Detailed maps and elevation profiles Trailhead directions and “don’t get lost” milestones Key at-a-glance information, including trail length, difficulty, features, and facilities Expert trail commentary Whether you’re looking for a scenic stroll to entertain the kids or a challenging full-day adventure, there’s a path for you near Lake Tahoe. For readers ready to hit the trail, this is the guide to have, and for armchair travelers, it’s 59 journeys into wonder.
Jeffrey Schaffer has selected 46 “must-do” Yosemite hikes. Whether you’re looking for a scenic stroll, a full-day adventure, or even a spectacular backpacking trip, you’ll find it here. And with at-a-glance information for each hike, visitors can determine which hikes are most suitable to their skills, schedules, and preferences. Books in the affordable and easy-to-use Top Trails series feature elevation profiles, detailed maps, driving directions, and “don’t get lost” trail milestones. Innovative trail-feature charts give information on which trails are child-friendly; which allow horses; where to see giant sequoias, waterfalls, lakes, wildflowers, and autumn colors; which trips have the best photo opportunities; and which have camping, running, or biking opportunities.
Schaffer has selected 46 of the must-do hikes in Yosemite National Park and its vicinity. With at-a-glance information for each hike, visitors can determine which hikes are most suitable to their skills, schedules, and preferences.
Discover classic destinations and lesser-known jewels of Glacier National Park through 42 incomparable hikes. With its crystalline lakes, towering mountains, impressive waterfalls, diverse plant and animal life, and, of course, dynamic glaciers, Glacier National Park offers countless opportunities for outdoor adventure. To find the best of them, follow expert author Jean Arthur—who has spent decades hiking hundreds of miles of trails throughout the park! Leave the roads to explore the hearts of both Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks—whether you’re looking for an easy family stroll through a grove of majestic red cedars, a 6-mile trek with spectacular views of snowfields that melt into wildflower meadows, or a 20-mile overnighter through some of the finest mountain scenery in the country. You’ll experience the best of the treasured national park that lies in the wilderness area of Montana’s Rocky Mountains. Inside you’ll find: 42 favorite routes for hikers, backpackers, and cyclists Detailed maps and elevation profiles Trailhead directions and “don’t get lost” milestones Key at-a-glance information, including trail length, difficulty, features, and facilities Expert trail commentary If you want to take a scenic walk to stretch your legs, a full-day hike, or a rewarding backpacking trip, you’ll find it in Top Trails: Glacier National Park.
